Animal Rights Extremism (PP8)

Read the articles and commentary below about animal rights extremists and the recent car firebombings. What rights, if any, do animals have? Why or why not? Is the type of violence discussed in these articles ever justified as a means to stop animal research?

Animal Research Activists Firebomb Car
Press Release from UCLA Newsroom

More on the UCLA Firebombing
From the LA Times

Commentary on Animal Rights Extremists
From Adventures in Ethics and Science Blog

Right to Refuse Treatment (PP7)

Is it ethical for parents to refuse potentially life-saving medical treatment for their minor children? Consider the recent cases of Daniel Hauser and Madeline (Kara) Neumann in your response.

In the case of Daniel Hauser, his parents refused chemotherapy to treat his cancer (Hodgkins Lymphoma). In the case of Madeline (Kara) Neumann, her parents withheld insulin and chose to treat her Type I Diabetes with prayer.

Background info on both cases is below, followed by video clips.

Daniel Hauser:
Science Blogs (Respectful Insolence) 05/12/2009
Science Blogs (Pharyngula) 05/15/2009
Fox News 05/19/2009
NY Daily News 05/19/2009
USA Today 05/21/2009
KSTP 05/26/2009
CNN 05/26/2009
MPR 05/27/2009
Star Tribune 05/29/2009
MPR 06/23/2009

Madeline (Kara) Neumann:
FoxNews 03/26/2008
CBC News 03/28/2008
Journal Sentinel 04/29/2008
WTMJ 05/15/2009
Religion News Blog 05/20/2009
WTMJ 06/15/2009
Court Filings - Courtesy of WTMJ
AZ Central 07/27/2009
MSNBC 08/01/2009
BBC 08/02/2009
Pharyngula Blog 08/02/2009
BBC 10/07/2009

Daniel Hauser Related Video Clips:









Madeline (Kara) Neumann Related Video Clips:

Creating a Life to Save a Life (PP6)

Read the case about the Spanish stem cell baby created specifically to save his brother's life. Do you agree with the parent's decision? Why or why not? What are the significant moral considerations in this case? What consideration is decisive for you?